Top 10 Best Mahabharata Characters

The Mahabharata is an Indian epic, and here we will discuss the top characters from this legendary tale.
The Top Ten
Karna Karna was the son of the Sun god Surya and the Kuru princess Kunti, born before her marriage to Pandu, making him the eldest of the Pandavas by birth. Renowned for his exceptional skills as a warrior and archer, he remained loyal to Duryodhana and fought against his own brothers in the Kurukshetra war.

Karna is a great warrior. Karna is a real hero of the Mahabharata, but no one respects his power because everyone knew he was a great archer. However, everyone demeaned him by calling him the chariot's son.

Most people think Arjun is better than Karna, but that's not true. If Arjun was better than Karna, how could he kill Karna with adharma? If he was able to kill him, then he should have given him a chance to get out his wheel or hold Vijay Dhanush in his hand. Krishna knew Arjun was not able to kill Karna fairly, so Krishna told Arjun, This is the right time. If you do not kill him now, you will never kill him.

The real point is everyone did adharma in the Mahabharata, even Lord Krishna.

Krishna Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata, guiding the Pandavas and delivering the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield. Known for his wisdom, strategic mind, and divine powers, he served as both a diplomat and charioteer to the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war.

Krishna is perfect in every way!

Krishna should be first. The comment I wrote for Arjun is the same as Krishna. Actually, Krishna is my big brother. Hi bhaiya.

The ultimate source of everything resides in every particle of the universe. Although rated second here, it might be the Lord's own choice.

Even warrior Karna was made up of the Lord's blessings. Remember him for the path of progress.

Bheeshma Bheeshma, originally named Devavrata, was the son of King Shantanu and the goddess Ganga, renowned for his vow of lifelong celibacy and unwavering loyalty to the throne of Hastinapura. He was blessed with a boon of choosing his time of death, allowing him to become a formidable commander for the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war.

The most virtuous character bound by shackles of promises. Everyone disrespected him even though he was the most respected one.

He was the greatest warrior who could have destroyed everyone but restrained his powers.

The greatest warrior and a man who keeps his word at whatever cost it takes.

Arjun Arjun, third of the Pandava brothers and the son of Indra, was known for his unmatched archery skills and valor on the battlefield. He was chosen by Krishna to receive the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, positioning him as the central hero in the Kurukshetra war.

I never care about what anyone says about him. He is the person for whom Lord Krishna himself became the charioteer.

That says it all. Better than the best.

Arjun was the ultimate enlightened warrior, the greatest friend of God himself, and one of the most sattvic warriors of all time.

Arjuna was the best warrior of the era. Shiva himself said that, and so did Krishna.

Duryodhana Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas and son of King Dhritarashtra, was the primary antagonist of the Mahabharata, determined to prevent the Pandavas from reclaiming their kingdom. Known for his ambition and rivalry with the Pandavas, his actions were instrumental in leading to the great war of Kurukshetra.

Please vote for this guy. From the beginning to the end, everything was unjust to him.

He is a great warrior, a real 'Kshatriya.'

He has the greatest friend in the greatest warrior (Karna). He is a loyal friend and doesn't care about the caste system (e.g., Karna).

Even though he is classified as adharma, he is a great king. His only downfall is his hatred towards the Pandavas.

Abhimanyu Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, was a young warrior famed for his bravery and strategic prowess in breaking into the Kauravas' Chakravyuha formation. Despite being only sixteen, he fought valiantly in the war, sacrificing his life in a tragic and heroic battle within enemy ranks.
Shakuni Shakuni, the prince of Gandhara and maternal uncle of Duryodhana, was a master strategist and is credited with masterminding the infamous dice game that led to the Pandavas' exile. His influence over Duryodhana was pivotal in shaping the course of events that culminated in the Kurukshetra war.

A good politician who kept his word for his forefathers.

Bheem Bheem, the second Pandava, was known for his extraordinary physical strength, often compared to that of ten thousand elephants. As a fierce warrior and key figure in the Kurukshetra war, he was particularly notable for his personal vendetta against Duryodhana and the Kauravas.

He defeated Karna at least four times during the war. He also defeated Drona by breaking his chariot eight times.

Eklavya Eklavya was a skilled archer and tribal prince who trained himself by creating an effigy of Drona, his idealized guru, after being denied formal training. His dedication to archery led to him achieving remarkable prowess, though he ultimately sacrificed his thumb to honor Drona's demand, a decision that altered his destiny.

His faith and trust in his guru made him the best archer. He sacrificed everything for the same guru and can let go of anything for the one he trusts.

I am not S.T., but he also rocks. I also like Karna and Krishna, but his character also rocks.

Yudhishthir Yudhishthir, the eldest Pandava and son of Dharma (Yama), was known for his adherence to truth, justice, and righteousness, even in the face of adversity. His moral and ethical dilemmas, especially during the Kurukshetra war, highlight his commitment to dharma (duty), setting him apart as a unique character in the epic.

He lived for dharma and earned the name and fame as "Dharma Raj." He alone went to heaven with his human body at the end.

He is the most righteous person in the Mahabharata.

The Newcomers

? Mata Gandhari Gandhari, the queen of Hastinapura and mother of the Kauravas, was known for her decision to blindfold herself to share in her husband Dhritarashtra's blindness. Her dedication and grief over the eventual fate of her sons made her one of the tragic figures of the Mahabharata.

She is a good mother and wife in the whole Mahabharata. No one can replace her as a good mother.

? Draupadi Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada and wife of all five Pandavas, is known for her unwavering dignity and resilience, even in times of humiliation. Her disrobing incident in the Kaurava court served as a turning point, inciting the events that eventually led to the Kurukshetra war.

She is probably the most pious lady who ever existed on earth. Though people have made false stories of her insulting Karna and Duryodhana, they are all false.

The Contenders
Balram Balram, the elder brother of Krishna and incarnation of Shesha (the serpent), was known for his immense physical strength and proficiency with the plough as a weapon. Although he was neutral during the Kurukshetra war, he played a key role as a mentor to both Bheem and Duryodhana in the art of mace fighting.

He was one of the most unbiased people in the story.

Ashwatthama Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, was a powerful and loyal warrior who fought for the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war. After the war ended, he famously unleashed the Brahmastra weapon in revenge, resulting in a tragic end to his story and long-lasting curses.

He is a great warrior who replied to the enemies in their code and style. He killed the remaining Pandava army, including cowards like Shikhandi and Dhrishtadyumna, very brutally, which was the need of the hour. He was perhaps the best commander that the Kaurava army ever had.

I don't understand why he is not on the list. Though he is a bad character, he was a great warrior.

A valiant warrior and the only person who dared to try stopping the disrobing of Draupadi in a large gathering of so-called great persons.

Vidur Vidur, the son of sage Vyasa and advisor to the Kuru throne, was known for his wisdom, honesty, and deep understanding of dharma (moral duty). Serving as the conscience of the Hastinapura court, he often tried to mediate between the Kauravas and Pandavas, advising against the Kurukshetra war.
Drona Dronacharya, a revered teacher of archery and the martial arts, trained both the Pandavas and Kauravas, instilling in them the skills of war. Although he ultimately fought for the Kauravas, his loyalty to the throne of Hastinapura created internal conflicts between his duties as a warrior and as a teacher.
Ghatotkacha Ghatotkacha, the half-demon son of Bheem and the rakshasi (demoness) Hidimbi, was known for his magical abilities and immense strength. He fought valiantly for the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war, ultimately sacrificing his life in a critical battle against Karna, enabling a strategic advantage for the Pandavas.
Kunti Kunti, mother to the first three Pandavas and the aunt to Karna, was a central figure in the Pandavas' lives and played a crucial role in shaping their destinies. Known for her resilience and spiritual strength, she balanced her duties as a mother and royal figure amid the epic's turbulent events.

Kunti was such a great character, mother, and queen. She did abandon Karna, but she prayed for him, kept track of him, and ensured he was under good protection. Kuntibhoj would not have kept Kunti with Karna, as an unwed mother, and where would she go with a child, alone?

She was a great wife, always supporting Pandu, helping him, and going to do penance with him despite having no fault. She was a great mother, raising her three sons and Madri's two sons with equal love and care. Despite her disappointments, hardships, and miseries, she remained kind and strong for her sons.

Kunti was also a great sister-in-law. She was supportive and sensitive to Gandhari's feelings, guided Gandhari with her blindness, and was kind and humble to Dhritarashtra. She was also welcoming, accepting, kind, and a mentor to Madri. As a queen, she always saw Pandu off to wars bravely and took care of both the Kauravas and Pandavas.

She was patient, brave, responsible, and kind. She showed patience with Madri, especially when Madri was irresponsible, and with her children. She was brave and strong, raising five sons as a widow, and remained responsible and kind throughout her life. Kunti also graciously accepted Madri as a second wife.

She is one of the Panchakanya, heroines from the Hindu epics, and when recited in a specific way, they are said to dispel sin. These heroines include Ahalya, Draupadi, Sita, Kunti, Tara, and Mandodari.

Kunti faced many tragedies throughout her life but always kept her unshakable spirit. She was given away by her birth father, took utmost care of Sage Durvasa, left baby Karna as a very young woman, witnessed the conflicts within the Kuru family, lost her husband, saw Madri leave her with five children, witnessed the royal kingdom of Hastinapur being bet away by her sons, and endured unwelcoming behavior in Hastinapur (from Duryodhan, Shakuni, and Dhritarashtra, who did not want the Pandavas and Kunti to... more

Nakula Nakula, one of the twin sons of Madri and the Ashwini Kumaras, was known for his skill in swordsmanship and his handsome appearance. As a Pandava, he fought bravely in the Kurukshetra war, proving himself as both a warrior and a healer on the battlefield.
Parashurama Parashurama, an incarnation of Vishnu and a warrior-sage, was famed for his fierce temperament and martial prowess, particularly with the axe. He trained Karna and a number of other warriors, and his vendetta against the warrior class shaped much of his complex role in the Mahabharata.
Barbarika Barbarika, the grandson of Bhima, was a powerful warrior gifted with the boon of three infallible arrows capable of ending the war within moments. However, due to his vow to always side with the weaker party, Krishna dissuaded him from participating in the Kurukshetra war to maintain the natural course of battle.

He is innocent, willing to stand on the side of the losing, and a capable warrior who can end a war with just three arrows. He was cheated by Krishna, who had other plans for the war.

Vrishasena Vrishasena, the son of Karna, was a valiant warrior who fought alongside his father for the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war. He displayed exceptional skill and bravery, particularly during his encounters with the Pandavas, before ultimately being killed by Arjuna in battle.
Pandu Pandu, the father of the five Pandavas, was a king of Hastinapura who abdicated his throne due to a curse that prevented him from fathering children naturally. He spent his life in the forest with his wives, Kunti and Madri, and eventually died under tragic circumstances related to his curse.
Sahadeva Sahadeva, the youngest of the Pandava brothers and twin of Nakula, was renowned for his knowledge of astrology and wisdom. Known for his loyalty and bravery, he fought courageously in the Kurukshetra war, playing an important role in many strategic decisions.
Dhritarashtra Dhritarashtra, the blind king of Hastinapura and father to the Kauravas, struggled to balance his love for his sons with the responsibilities of kingship. His inability to curb Duryodhana's ambitions ultimately contributed to the descent into the devastating Kurukshetra war.
Shikhandi Shikhandi, born as a female but later identified as male, was a reincarnation of Princess Amba who sought vengeance against Bheeshma. His unique position allowed him to be instrumental in Bheeshma's fall during the Kurukshetra war, as Bheeshma chose not to fight a transgendered warrior.
Uttara Uttara, the princess of Matsya and daughter of King Virata, was married to Abhimanyu, Arjuna's son. After the tragic death of her husband in the Kurukshetra war, she gave birth to Parikshit, who would go on to continue the Kuru lineage after the war.
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